live in Rockford, Illinois with my husband, son, dog and horse.  I earned my B.F.A. and M.A. degrees in painting from Northern Illinois University.  My work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in private and corporate collections in the United States, Sweden, Luxembourg, France and Great Britain.  Three of my watercolors were selected by Ambassador Barbro Owens-Fitzpatrick to hang in the U.S. ambassadorial residence in Niamey, Niger, Africa and two were selected by Ambassador Martinez for the U.S. ambassadorial residence in Rangoon, Burma.  My beaded bag,  “Tiger,” was selected for Bead Expo ’07 and reproduced in the June/July, 2007 issue of “Beadwork” magazine.  My silk painting is included in the book “The Best of Silk Painting” by Jan Janas and Diane Tuckman.  I am listed in Who’s Who in American Art, am co-author of the book, “Now What?” This Art Business,” am represented by galleries throughout the Midwest, and am a member of various artists’ associations.

ARTIST STATEMENT   
Animals, particularly wild animals, have a sense of themselves that is unique.  They look directly at the world, confident of their place.  They have a sense of self without self-doubt.
My work is an exploration of color, value and form with representational subject matter. I use the juxtaposition of positive and negative shapes along with color and value contrasts to form a composition based loosely on the tenets developed by the early Baroque painters in Holland known as the Dutch Little Masters.
My father said, “Art is okay for a hobby, but don’t take it too seriously.”
My uncle said, “Jennie, I knew you painted but I really didn’t think you’d be any good.”
My friend said, “Doesn’t it make you feel good to know that your art will survive you?”
That I might be taking the wrong road, that I might not be good enough, those things I had thought of, but that third one, that took me by surprise.  For that third possibility, every piece I do is my best effort.

Dr. Denise Crute is a physician, artist, and illustrator. Among her earliest memories are drawing pictures with her father. She began painting at age 6 and entered her first juried art show at age 12. By the time Dr. Crute was in high school she was teaching painting lessons, and in medical school she sold paintings to pay living expenses. Today she continues work as a fine artist, scientific and medical illustrator.

Dr. Crute’s paintings and drawings chronicle her keen observations and multifaceted experiences as a neurointensivist, a neurosurgeon, an international medical volunteer, an outdoor enthusiast, a teacher, a wife, and a mother. Dr. Crute’s work may be purchased online or in person at Mighty Spark Studio in Rockford, Illinois (https://denisecrute.wix.com/mightysparkstudio). The book, Heart of a Lion, Hands of a Woman, which features many of her paintings and drawings, may be purchased online at http://marketplace.aans.org.  You may also contact Dr. Crute directly at denise.crute1@yahoo.com She gladly accepts commissions. All profits from Mighty Spark Studio are donated to international medical aid.